{1} Princess - P. Jackson 🔱

"I flew on a pig."

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Percy sat up so fast he banged his head on my armor as I was about to wake him up.

"Ow!"

"Sorry! I'm sorry, Percy." I winced, holding the back of his head with my right hand and rubbing his forehead with my left hand. "I was just about to wake you up."

He closed his eyes and relaxed into my hands. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah," Percy said in a mumble, eyes still dazed in sleep. "What... what are you doing in armor? You should be resting."

"Oh, I'm fine," I said. I wasn't that fine, Annabeth told me I was still pale and I could barely move my arm, but I didn't want to be seated anymore, I wanted to help. "That nectar and ambrosia fixed me up."

"Uh-huh. You can't seriously go out and fight." I rolled my eyes and offered him my good hand, helping him up. Outside, the sky was purple and red.

"You're going to need every person you have," I said. "Annabeth just showed me her shield. There's an army—"

"Heading south into Central Park," He said. "Yeah, I know." And he told me his dream.

"Do you think Ethan suspects about your weak spot?" I asked low.

"I don't know," He admitted, itching the back of his head. "He didn't tell Kronos anything, but if he figures it out—"

"We can't let him." I said confidently.

"I'll bonk him on the head harder next time," He suggested. "Any idea what surprise Kronos was talking about?"

I shook my head. "I didn't see anything in the shield, but I don't like surprises."

"Agreed."

"So," I said, "are you going to argue about me coming along?"

"Nah. You'd just beat me up."

I smiled at him. "It's good that you know."

Thalia and the head counselors were waiting for us at the reservoir. The lights of the city were blinking on at twilight. I guess a lot of them were on automatic timers. Street lamps glowed around the shore of the lake, making the water and trees look even spookier.

"And I thought you would change her mind to stay inside," Annabeth crossed her arms at Percy.

"Me? Annie, if you didn't change her mind why would I?" Percy pointed to himself. "Her arm is bad but she could still charmspeak me to fall on my face while walking."

"Seriously, I'm fine." I widened my eyes quickly at her. "Will took good care of me and we need everyone now."

"Stubborn," She said and I smiled, standing by her side and locking our arms together.

"They're coming," Thalia confirmed, pointing north with a silver arrow. "One of my scouts just reported they've crossed the Harlem River. There was no way to hold them back. The army..." She shrugged. "It's huge."

"We'll hold them at the park," Percy said. "Grover, you ready?"

He nodded. "As ready as we'll ever be. If my nature spirits can stop them anywhere, this is the place."

"Yes, we will!" said another voice. A very old, fat satyr pushed through the crowd, stumbling over his own spear.

He was dressed in wood-bark armor that only covered half of his belly.

"Leneus?" I said.

"Don't act so surprised," he huffed, and faced Percy. "I am a leader of the Council, and you did tell me to find Grover. Well, I found him, and I'm not going to let a mere outcast lead the satyrs without my help!"